Dominican Republic: Doing business and staying in touch

Doing Business in Dominican Republic

Dominicans can be fashion-conscious. It is usual for business people to dress smartly and to deal formally with each other at first, although the general atmosphere is informal. Spanish is the main business language and knowledge of it will be of assistance. Hotels can usually assist with interpreter services.

Office Hours

Business hours Mon-Fri 0800-1800. Some companies work on Saturday mornings.

Government offices have shorter working hours, Mon-Fri 0730-1500.

Economy

The Dominican Republic has the largest economy in the Caribbean. The country is a major tourist destination and its free-trade zones have attracted a significant sum of foreign investments and now a key aspect of the economy. These have helped to reduce the country’s dependence on agriculture products such as cocoa, tobacco, sugarcane and coffee, among others.

Income inequality remains an issue. It's not uncommon to see gleaming new 4x4 vehicles bumper-to-bumper with rusting, rasping old hatchbacks. Improved water and electricity are needed to assist growth in tourism, manufacturing and agriculture.

GDP

US$71.58 billion (2017).

Main exports

Gold, medical instruments, tobacco, bananas and electronic equipment.

Main imports

Refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicaments and plastic products.

Main trading partners

USA, China, Haiti, Canada, Mexico and India.

Keeping in Touch in Dominican Republic

Telephone

Claro, formally known as CODETEL, is Dominican Republic's largest telecommunications company, providing local, long-distance, and wireless voice services.

Mobile Phone

Roaming agreements exist with a number of international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good along most coastal areas and around towns but patchy elsewhere.

Internet

Wi-Fi access is widely available in hotels, cafés and restaurants.

Media

There are a wide range of TV channels and radio stations in the country.

Press freedom is protected by law. Consequently, media outlets carry diverse political views although some subjects, such as the Catholic Church and the army, are generally avoided. Daily papers are in Spanish and include El Caribe, Hoy, Listín Diario and El Nacional. The English-language Santo Domingo News is published weekly and can be obtained in many hotels.

Post

Airmail takes about 10 days to reach Western Europe. It is advisable to post all mail at the central post office in Santo Domingo to ensure a rapid and safer handling.